King County, WA

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Population

2.19M

1.8% growth

Median Age

37.1


Median Household Income

$89,675

4.16% growth

Poverty Rate

10.2%


Number of Employees

1.2M

2.34% growth

Median Property Value

$563,600

14.7% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, King County, WA had a population of 2.19M people with a median age of 37.1 and a median household income of $89,675. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of King County, WA grew from 2.15M to 2.19M, a 1.8% increase and its median household income grew from $86,095 to $89,675, a 4.16% increase.

The population of King County, WA is 59.8% White Alone, 17.3% Asian Alone, and 9.71% Hispanic or Latino. 28.3% of the people in King County, WA speak a non-English language, and 87.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in King County, WA are University of Washington-Seattle Campus (13,548 degrees awarded in 2016), Green River College (3,018 degrees), and Bellevue College (2,725 degrees).

The median property value in King County, WA is $563,600, and the homeownership rate is 56.6%. Most people in King County, WA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 27.9 minutes. The average car ownership in King County, WA is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: The view on Rattle Snake Ridge.

Photo by Chad McDonald

United StatesWashingtonSeattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Economy

The economy of King County, WA employs 1.2M people. The largest industries in King County, WA are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (191,980 people), Retail Trade (143,686 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (143,003 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($95,022), Utilities ($91,156), and Information ($88,067).

Median household income in King County, WA is $89,675. Males in King County, WA have an average income that is 1.36 times higher than the average income of females, which is $56,061. The income inequality in King County, WA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.466, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$89,675

2017 value

± $1,863

4.16%

1 Year Growth

± 2.66%

Households in King County, WA have a median annual income of $89,675, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $86,095 in 2016, which represents a 4.16% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in King County, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

$76,243

Average Male Salary

± $1,417

$56,061

Average Female Salary

± $1,119

In 2017, full-time male employees in Washington made 1.36 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Washington by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $68,438 ± $3,071

  2. White

    $60,339 ± $979

  3. Two or More Races

    $48,848 ± $3,228

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Washington workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.13 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Washington by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for King County, WA is from Washington.

0.466

2017 Wage GINI

0.467

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Washington was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.249% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2017 the GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Washington in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Washington across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 246.02

  2. Census Tract 323.21

  3. Census Tract 241

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in King County, WA was Census Tract 246.02 with a value of $210,491, followed by Census Tract 323.21 and Census Tract 241, with respective values of $209,313 and $208,229.

The following map shows all of the tracts in King County, WA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

10.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in King County, WA (213k out of 2.09M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    105,823 ± 2,472

  2. Hispanic

    35,452 ± 1,536

  3. Asian

    34,776 ± 1,427

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in King County, WA is White, followed by Hispanic and Asian.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

1.2M

2017 Value

± 18,107

2.34%

1 Year growth

± 2.09%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in King County, WA grew at a rate of 2.34%, from 1.17M employees to 1.2M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in King County, WA, are Management Occupations (175,386 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (120,421 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (111,746 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of King County, WA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of King County, WA, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (175,386 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (120,421 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (111,746 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, King County, WA has an unusually high number of residents working as Computer & Mathematical Occupations (2.91 times higher than expected), Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.74 times), and Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, & Media Occupations (1.53 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of King County, WA, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($112,631), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($106,194), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($100,727).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

1.2M

2017 Value

± 18,107

2.34%

1 Year growth

± 2.09%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in King County, WA grew at a rate of 2.34%, from 1.17M employees to 1.2M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in King County, WA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (191,980 people), Retail Trade (143,686 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (143,003 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of King County, WA, though some of these residents may live in King County, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in King County, WA, by number of employees, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (191,980 people), Retail Trade (143,686 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (143,003 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, King County, WA has an unusually high number of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (2.14 times higher than expected), Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.94 times), and Information (1.43 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in King County, WA, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($95,022), Utilities ($91,156), and Information ($88,067).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Transport equip.

    $38.6B

  2. Mixed freight

    $37.2B

  3. Gasoline

    $28.3B

In 2015, the top outbound Washington product (by dollars) was Transport equip. with $38.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($37.2B) and Gasoline ($28.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Washington products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Washington state.

$296B

2015 Value

$444B

Projected 2045 Value

50.1% growth

In 2015, total outbound Washington trade was $296B. This is expected to increase 50.1% to $444B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Washington trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. Oregon

    $26.3B

  2. California

    $14.2B

  3. Tennessee

    $9.45B

In 2015, the top outbound Washington domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Oregon with $26.3B, followed by California with $14.2B and Tennessee and $9.45B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Washington shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

94.5% of the population of King County, WA has health coverage, with 59% on employee plans, 13.7% on Medicaid, 9.3% on Medicare, 11.9% on non-group plans, and 0.658% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of King County, WA was $7,913 in 2014. This is a 4% increase from the previous year ($7,609).

Primary care physicians in King County, WA see 843 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.597% increase from the previous year (838 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 947 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 291 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Garfield County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (14%). Additionally, Adams County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (36.4%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

843 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in King County, WA see an average of 843 patients per year. This represents a 0.597% increase from the previous year (838 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in King County, WA in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

$7,913

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,328

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,851

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,997

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Washington (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4%, from $7,609 to $7,913.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

5.46%

Uninsured

59%

Employer Coverage

13.7%

Medicaid

9.3%

Medicare

11.9%

Non-Group

0.658%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in King County, WA grew by 9.51% from 4.99% to 5.46%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in King County, WA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Garfield County

    14% prevalence

  2. Pend Oreille County

    13.6% prevalence

  3. Wahkiakum County

    13.4% prevalence

Garfield County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Washington, at 14%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Washington by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

King County, WA is home to a population of 2.19M people, from which 87.4% are citizens. As of 2017, 21.4% of King County, WA residents were born outside of the country (468k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of King County, WA is composed of 1.31M White Alone residents (59.8%), 379k Asian Alone residents (17.3%), 212k Hispanic or Latino residents (9.71%), 133k Black or African American Alone residents (6.1%), 122k Two or More Races residents (5.57%), 16.8k Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.766%), 8.06k American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.368%), and 7.06k Some Other Race Alone residents (0.322%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in King County, WA are Spanish (141,971 speakers), Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) (85,373 speakers), and Vietnamese (40,860 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

35

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

41

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.4

In 2017, the median age of all people in King County, WA was 37.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 35, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in King County, WA are getting staying the same age. In 2016, the average age of all King County, WA residents was 37.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

21.4%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

468k people

20.9%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

448k people

As of 2017, 21.4% of King County, WA residents (468k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in King County, WA was 20.9%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in King County, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    237,996 ± 11,783 people

  2. India

    86,024 ± 7,159 people

  3. Philippines

    78,671 ± 6,850 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 237,996 Washington residents, followed by India with 86,024 and Philippines with 78,671.

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Citizenship

87.4%

2017 Citizenship

88.1%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 87.4% of King County, WA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in King County, WA was 88.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in King County, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    1.31M ± 1.39k

  2. Asian Alone

    379k ± 5.7k

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    212k ± 12.9k

In 2017, there were 3.45 times more White Alone residents (1.31M people) in King County, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 379k Asian Alone and 212k Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in King County, WA as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish

    141,971 speakers (6.89%)

  2. Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)

    85,373 speakers (4.14%)

  3. Vietnamese

    40,860 speakers (1.98%)

28.3% of King County, WA citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is higher than the national average of 21.8%. In 2017, the most common non-English language spoken in King County, WA was Spanish. 6.89% of the overall population of King County, WA are native Spanish speakers. 4.14% speak Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) and 1.98% speak Spanish, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    35,131 ± 2,285

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    17,957 ± 3,051

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    11,349 ± 1,532

King County, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.96 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in King County, WA awarded 41,242 degrees. The student population of King County, WA is skewed towards women, with 64,510 male students and 75,041 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in King County, WA are White (19,957 and 54.5%), followed by Asian (5,813 and 15.9%), Hispanic or Latino (3,105 and 8.48%), and Unknown (2,937 and 8.02%).

The largest universities in King County, WA by number of degrees awarded are University of Washington-Seattle Campus (13,548 and 32.9%), Green River College (3,018 and 7.32%), and Bellevue College (2,725 and 6.61%).

The most popular majors in King County, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (5,355 and 13%), General Business Administration & Management (1,529 and 3.71%), and Registered Nursing (1,232 and 2.99%).

The median tuition costs in King County, WA are $26,705 for private four year colleges, and $3,393 and $4,509 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. Registered Nursing

    679 degrees awarded

  2. General Psychology

    663 degrees awarded

  3. Speech Communication & Rhetoric

    583 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in King County, WA was Registered Nursing with 679 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in King County, WA according to their major.

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. University of Washington-Seattle Campus

    13,548 degrees awarded

  2. Green River College

    3,018 degrees awarded

  3. Bellevue College

    2,725 degrees awarded

$3,393

Median In-State Public

$26,705

Median Private

In 2016, the King County, WA institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Washington-Seattle Campus with 13,548 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

18,070

Degrees Awarded to Men

23,172

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 18,070 men were awarded degrees from institutions in King County, WA, which is 0.78 times less than the 23,172 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in King County, WA by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    19,957 degrees awarded

  2. Asian

    5,813 degrees awarded

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    3,105 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in King County, WA were to White students. These 19,957 degrees mean that there were 3.43 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 5,813 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in King County, WA was $563,600 in 2017, which is 2.59 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $491,300 to $563,600, a 14.7% increase. The homeownership rate in King County, WA is 56.6%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in King County, WA have an average commute time of 27.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in King County, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$89,675

Median Household Income

± $1,863

877k

Number of Households

± 15,042

In 2017, the median household income of the 877k households in King County, WA grew to $89,675 from the previous year's value of $86,095.

The following chart displays the households in King County, WA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

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Housing

Property Value

$563,600

2017 Median

± $8,835

$491,300

2016 Median

± $5,675

In 2017, the median property value in King County, WA grew to to $563,600 from the previous year's value of $491,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in King County, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In King County, WA the largest share of households have a property value in the $500k - $750k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in King County, WA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In King County, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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Rent vs Own

56.6%

2017 Homeownership

56.8%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 56.6% of the housing units in King County, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 56.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in King County, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in King County, WA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in King County, WA have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

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Commute Time

27.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in King County, WA have a longer commute time (27.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 2.26% of the workforce in King County, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in King County, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    61.1%

  2. Public Transit

    13.7%

  3. Carpooled

    10.6%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in King County, WA was Drove Alone (61.1%), followed by those who Public Transit (13.7%) and those who Carpooled (10.6%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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